I have helped literally hundreds if not thousands of people learn about family history in their lifetime. From helping people with online groups seeking help on their brick wall ancestors... to working at the Family History Library as a consultant on-and-off for three years to currently being a volunteer consultant on Friday evenings.
Every week I generally help at least three people on my Fridays alone. When I worked there full time, I could easily help up to a dozen a day.
I don't always remember my patrons and those who I help, honestly. It is hard for me to remember all their faces. I have a semi-photographic memory though.
Last night I was contacted by a man whose wife was someone I had helped over the years several times. I got her started on her Swedish genealogy. She was able to find hundreds of relatives through my teaching her as well as her diligence and hard work. She lived in Arizona but would sing my praises regularly.
I had no idea.
In February of this last year, she died of cancer.
Her husband came to the Family History Library to thank me and ask me for help continuing in her family tree work.
I had no idea I had made such a positive influence on her. He said that she would say all the time about that Bradley Marchant who helped her so often and so well at the Family History Library.
I don't always know if I ever influence people positively. My mindset usually tells me that my influence on others is negligible. My at-times lower self image doesn't allow me to think I could actually create positive change in people's lives. I'm only a genealogist. I'm not a heart-surgeon saving lives or a medical missionary saving lives with vaccinations in India or something incredible...
I didn't know I had affected her life so much.
I literally have helped so many people I couldn't remember them all. And I usually don't ever find out if I have helped anyone so significantly that it impacted their life in a positive way.
But I am so grateful that in this case, I was able to help you Mary. It humbles me...
Every week I generally help at least three people on my Fridays alone. When I worked there full time, I could easily help up to a dozen a day.
I don't always remember my patrons and those who I help, honestly. It is hard for me to remember all their faces. I have a semi-photographic memory though.
Last night I was contacted by a man whose wife was someone I had helped over the years several times. I got her started on her Swedish genealogy. She was able to find hundreds of relatives through my teaching her as well as her diligence and hard work. She lived in Arizona but would sing my praises regularly.
I had no idea.
In February of this last year, she died of cancer.
Her husband came to the Family History Library to thank me and ask me for help continuing in her family tree work.
I had no idea I had made such a positive influence on her. He said that she would say all the time about that Bradley Marchant who helped her so often and so well at the Family History Library.
I don't always know if I ever influence people positively. My mindset usually tells me that my influence on others is negligible. My at-times lower self image doesn't allow me to think I could actually create positive change in people's lives. I'm only a genealogist. I'm not a heart-surgeon saving lives or a medical missionary saving lives with vaccinations in India or something incredible...
I didn't know I had affected her life so much.
I literally have helped so many people I couldn't remember them all. And I usually don't ever find out if I have helped anyone so significantly that it impacted their life in a positive way.
But I am so grateful that in this case, I was able to help you Mary. It humbles me...